Aftermarket TPMS for Trailer Tires

David472 · 10-30-2011, 07:53 AM

Anyone out there using aftermarket Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems for watching the trailer tire pressures while underway? What do you think of them? I have heard the ones which screw onto the valve stem can over time introduce a leak in the rubber valve stems, due to flexing from centrifical forces, which seems quite possible.

Terry · 10-30-2011, 11:57 AM

I have looked at them, but had a hard time pulling the trigger. Part of my problem is if I get 4 for the camper, I want 4 more for my vehicle so the price keeps creeping...

They look nice, but they cost more than my deductible

ok - that is probably not a good way to view it.

RVhiker · 10-30-2011, 01:21 PM

One day I was traveling down an interstate at 65 mph or so and a guy drove alongside my trailer gesturing and pointing. I'm usually somewhat leery of such odd behavior around our trailer, but I decided to pull over and take a look at my tow vehicle and trailer. I found one tire completely shredded. Had that guy not warned me, and had I not overcome my usual doubts about strangers, I would have continued down the road until the second tire failed, and I started dragging my brake drums down the road.

So I decided I had to get a TPMS system. I got a TST system, and for it I had to have installed metal valve stems. It tells me the pressure and temperature in each tire, and will alert with beeping if there is a sudden change in pressure. My truck has a factory TPMS system. I've used the TST system for about 10 months on 10,000 miles and it has worked well.

Lady Fitzgerald · 10-30-2011, 01:38 PM

I've been looking ito them as well. The externally mounted ones will most likely cause trouble with rubber valves stems which is why the manufacturers recommended one installs metal valve stems.

They are costly but I feel the expense would be well worth it. They give near constant monitoring of tire pressure for each tire and warn you visually and audibly when tire pressure goes too low for safety. They will also let you know which tire is acting up and many will report relative tire temperature. ASFAIK, the TMPS installed on vehicles do not go into that detail. They would be well worth the price if they could prevent a blowout that could damage or destroy the RV or cause an accident that could endanger life and limb.

edatlanta · 10-30-2011, 02:25 PM

I have to agree with tafische . To get to that 8th wheel the price jumps. Fortunately for me I can see all 4 of my trailer tires in my mirrors. I just look at them frequently and never move the trailer in the morning without checking the pressure in each as well as my TV.

Lady Fitzgerald · 10-30-2011, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by edatlanta

I have to agree with tafische . To get to that 8th wheel the price jumps. Fortunately for me I can see all 4 of my trailer tires in my mirrors. I just look at them frequently and never move the trailer in the morning without checking the pressure in each as well as my TV.

Frankly, my old, trifocal assisted eyeballs just aren't quite good enough to see if tire pressure is going down while I'm driving because a tire picked up and threw a nail or if tire temperature is going up due to slight dragging because a wheel bearing is starting to seize or a brake decided not to fully release. And even if my eyes were good enough, my ADD wouldn't allow me to concentrate on watching the tires while also concentrating on the road and the morons (other morons?) I'm sharing it with. Too much input at once and my mind goes on vacation.

TPMS - expensive as all get out. Peace of mind - priceless! When I get my TT, I'll probably get a 10 wheel system so I can monitor my spares as well (the system that comes with my truck leaves a bit to be desired). That will beat the hairy heck of crawling under truck and trailer to check spare tire pressure.

edatlanta · 10-30-2011, 06:22 PM

I'm sure I am just as lax about checking my spares as everyone else, but knowing the problem I have had through the years finding a source of air on the road, I have a compressor. Since I have a generator onboard my 5'er, I have a 120v compressor so I can air up a spare when needed. I have had very poor luck through the years finding stations where I can get a good enough air supply to air up a tire to 80 psi and I will be needing 110 psi by next year so the problem will only get worse.

Terry · 10-30-2011, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by edatlanta

I have to agree with tafische . To get to that 8th wheel the price jumps. Fortunately for me I can see all 4 of my trailer tires in my mirrors. I just look at them frequently and never move the trailer in the morning without checking the pressure in each as well as my TV.

I can see mine as well with my extended mirrors. Tough call....it is one of those things, like so many others, that starts to add up $$$$. When you add an ems, backup cameras, tpms, etc, etc ....it can really start to add up. at what point do you have to say - I have done due diligence? I guess it is a personal choice, I have just had a hard time throwing the cash into this one.

David472 · 10-31-2011, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tafische

I can see mine as well with my extended mirrors. Tough call....it is one of those things, like so many others, that starts to add up $$$$. When you add an ems, backup cameras, tpms, etc, etc ....it can really start to add up. at what point do you have to say - I have done due diligence? I guess it is a personal choice, I have just had a hard time throwing the cash into this one.

I have always used the method of gauging the pressure before hitting the road, as well as a good visual inspection while i'm at it. Never had a problem on the road. This past August, while trailering thru Michigan, we saw 3 TT's pulled over at different spots, all with a flat tire. This got me wondering if there is more risk there than i'm accounting for..........RV Hiker's experience noted in post 3 above, is something to consider. In my case, since the TV has factory TPMS, i would only need 4 sensors for the trailer, if i go that route.

**norty1** · 10-31-2011, 06:45 PM

I am more concerned about the trailer tires than the truck. Over the years they are the ones that fail even though I am anal about checking pressure and temps.
Many years of towing and only 1 truck tire problem due to a road hazard. Trailer tires are another story. Many blown tires back there.

A TPMS system is on my short list and I will likely wait on the 4 for the truck.

clutch · 10-31-2011, 10:19 PM

After all the problems we had with the TPMS on our little GMC Canyon I will pass on having one. I will stick with my pressure gauge and thermal gun.

jim44646 · 12-12-2011, 02:31 PM

Check out Ranger431 (Guess the Damage) Post on the damage to his TT from a blown tire. Way more than a TPMS system

David472 · 12-12-2011, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jim44646

Check out Ranger431 (Guess the Damage) Post on the damage to his TT from a blown tire. Way more than a TPMS system

That damage shown is something I would like to avoid. A flat tire is one thing, damage like that is something else. I read on another thread, a member here suffered a TT tire blow out, even though they had a TPMS. Maybe in that case it was due to road hazard debris? Can't remember now where that was posted.
Ahhh yes, here is the thread where that is mentioned by "Ela 1948";
http://www.jaycoowners.com/showthread.php?t=5110&page=3

Ela1948 · 12-12-2011, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lady Fitzgerald

Frankly, my old, trifocal assisted eyeballs just aren't quite good enough to see if tire pressure is going down while I'm driving because a tire picked up and threw a nail or if tire temperature is going up due to slight dragging because a wheel bearing is starting to seize or a brake decided not to fully release. And even if my eyes were good enough, my ADD wouldn't allow me to concentrate on watching the tires while also concentrating on the road and the morons (other morons?) I'm sharing it with. Too much input at once and my mind goes on vacation.

TPMS - expensive as all get out. Peace of mind - priceless! When I get my TT, I'll probably get a 10 wheel system so I can monitor my spares as well (the system that comes with my truck leaves a bit to be desired). That will beat the hairy heck of crawling under truck and trailer to check spare tire pressure.

Quote:

Originally Posted by RVhiker

One day I was traveling down an interstate at 65 mph or so and a guy drove alongside my trailer gesturing and pointing. I'm usually somewhat leery of such odd behavior around our trailer, but I decided to pull over and take a look at my tow vehicle and trailer. I found one tire completely shredded. Had that guy not warned me, and had I not overcome my usual doubts about strangers, I would have continued down the road until the second tire failed, and I started dragging my brake drums down the road.

So I decided I had to get a TPMS system. I got a TST system, and for it I had to have installed metal valve stems. It tells me the pressure and temperature in each tire, and will alert with beeping if there is a sudden change in pressure. My truck has a factory TPMS system. I've used the TST system for about 10 months on 10,000 miles and it has worked well.

I had exactly the same scenario in 2007. We were on the interstate heading home when a trucker came up and blew his horn pointing at the trailer. We also had one tire totally schredded. I was amazed because I was convinced that I could tell if a tire was going down let alone totally gone. We changed all tires when I got home because they were 5 years old. We also bought a "tire minder" from camping world that indicates what each tires pressure is as well as the temperature of each tire. We were gone 7 weeks this summer and truthfully, I wouldn't leave the house without them. They worked great. A little tough to get the computer set (for old man like me) but once I finally got it,it works great.

David472 · 12-12-2011, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ela1948

I had exactly the same scenario in 2007. We were on the interstate heading home when a trucker came up and blew his horn pointing at the trailer. We also had one tire totally schredded. I was amazed because I was convinced that I could tell if a tire was going down let alone totally gone. We changed all tires when I got home because they were 5 years old. We also bought a "tire minder" from camping world that indicates what each tires pressure is as well as the temperature of each tire. We were gone 7 weeks this summer and truthfully, I wouldn't leave the house without them. They worked great. A little tough to get the computer set (for old man like me) but once I finally got it,it works great.

Ela1948,
Thanks for sharing your story. A Tire Minder like you have, is one of the systems I am considering.

Ela1948 · 12-12-2011, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David472

Ela1948,
Thanks for sharing your story. A Tire Minder like you have, is one of the systems I am considering.

Camping world also sells Hopkins TPS systems. They were cheaper but most of the feed back that I got indicated too many unhappy users. That was why I went with the tire minder. There users were much more pleased. Still feel that we made a good choice.

Seann45 · 12-13-2011, 10:50 AM

If I ever decide to go with a TPMS it will be rim mounted not on the valve stem. Yeah they cost more but then are protected and will not cause valve stem leaks.

David472 · 12-13-2011, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seann45

If I ever decide to go with a TPMS it will be rim mounted not on the valve stem. Yeah they cost more but then are protected and will not cause valve stem leaks.

Seann45,
A very good point.
With all the distance you cover between SK and SoCal, Have you ever experienced tire failure? If not, what do you think is your best defensive approach?

Lady Fitzgerald · 12-13-2011, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seann45

If I ever decide to go with a TPMS it will be rim mounted not on the valve stem. Yeah they cost more but then are protected and will not cause valve stem leaks.

The additional expense doesn't end with with the initial outlay. When the batteries run down, the tire has to be broken down to get at the sensor. If the battery isn't user replaceable, then the entire sensor has to be replaced. If the sensor fails for any reason while on the road, R&R is far more involved than with external sensors.

I'm not saying the internal sensors aren't better. I just want people to be aware of the added expenses and inconveniences.

David472 · 12-13-2011, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lady Fitzgerald

The additional expense doesn't end with with the initial outlay. When the batteries run down, the tire has to be broken down to get at the sensor. If the battery isn't user replaceable, then the entire sensor has to be replaced. If the sensor fails for any reason while on the road, R&R is far more involved than with external sensors.

I'm not saying the internal sensors aren't better. I just want people to be aware of the added expenses and inconveniences.

Yes, another thing to take into consideration. My previous car had internal TPMS and it was 9 years old when traded in. The sensors had not yet needed to have the batteries replaced (still functioned). In my work experience, the lithium coin cells can go longer than 10 years, if no circuit failure shortens their life. You make a good point though. There is a finite life to the lithium coin cells.

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